Susan Catucci

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2022

Stories (61)

61 Stories

2407 karma pts

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“THE LAST DITCH PITCH” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #175

WARNING: Foul language - where appropriate.* * *Let me begin by thanking you all for coming out. (Not that you'd have anything better to do in this God forsaken shit hole in the middle of nowhere.)Thank you for calling on us, Mayor! We are at your service! (So, can we please just get on with it? I have a dentist appointment I’d rather make than be here.)At the ready and always glad to help! (Yeah, help make you look good for the next election. What a rube.)What is it we can do for you, Mayor? (I forgo...

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“THE DAY THE RABBIT DIED” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #174

Mom and Dad:I have been thinking about what you said and I want to present my argument to you in writing so I don’t miss any of the points that I think are really important. I know I’m only 12 but I believe what I’m arguing is right and I hope you see that.I am the youngest in this family and I’ve only had 12 years of Easter baskets. That means that Rick and Robby have had many more years of Easter baskets than I will. It’s not fair to just cut off Easter baskets and then I get gypped because Dad thinks we’re too old. I’m...

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“THE DELIVERY” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #173

WARNING: Story contains detailed description of a birth.* * *Samuel Camden glared at the telephone. I don’t want you ringin’ no more ‘less you got somethin’ good to tell me, he thought. He then began exploring the few remaining options he had available. The forecast that predicted blizzard conditions and sub-zero temperatures had proven accurate. Where the meteorologists had gotten it wrong, unfortunately, was the duration of the storm. Nature, once again, had shown just how unreliable it can be. The cold front was slow-m...

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“THE BALLOON BOY” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #172

Jasper Engstrom frowned as he placed his phone back in the charging station. He crossed the living room to the large front picture window and gazed out at the private road that ran in front of their house. It was a beautiful Autumn day. The trees were in peak form, alive with vibrant splashes of orange, red and yellow. The leaves hadn’t begun to actually fall, so the brilliant green of the well-tended Engstrom lawn completed the perfectly seasonal setting. Jasper was looking but he wasn’t seeing what was in fro...

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“MARSHMALLOW SKIES” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #171

Melody skipped down the pebbled pathway, stopping occasionally to collect a flower that caught her eye, anything she thought her mama would like. She was in the most beautiful botanical garden she’d ever seen. The colorful perfumed surroundings made her nose tickle in the most delightful way, and the hum of the busy bees buzzing about made her feel as though she were visiting in a fairy tale. It was all so perfect. She wore a white lace dress with a pink sash and a ribbon to match that was braided in her hair. The sh...

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“A LITTLE TRIP” by Susan Catucci

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #170

The lady with the bright blue hat looked on as her speckled cat was swatting at the firefly as it went trapesing by. She then spied a spider whose bottom half was wider, with a hangman's noose beside her, attempt to end it all. Her puppy wouldn't have it, but as he tried to grab it, a caterpillar stabbed it so it could watch her fall. The lady thought it tragic, the speckled cat cried, Magic! The puppy pawed a maggot to forget about it all.The parachute won't open, the elephant had spoken, the latch inside was broken, the monkey did it all. ...

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“I WANT YOU” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #169

WARNING: Disturbing content for sensitive readers.* * *“Well, hello, kitty. Are you looking for a forever home? I’m looking for a forever friend. Would you like to come home with me?”It was Elizabeth’s 10th birthday and she was thrilled that her present this year was to pick out her own pet. Her mother, Rose, had helped her go through a list of possibilities, from puppies and birds to fish and kittens. It was fun to explore the pros and cons of each and excitedly go over them while indulging in candles an...

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“LAST STOP” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #168

There isn’t anything more romantic or purely luxurious than train travel. I thought that. I used to think that. As I was growing up, I experienced that. As I stared out the train window, I searched my memory for why I’d thought that. I couldn’t remember. My mind was protecting me, I knew, because if I allowed my thoughts to focus, I’d come around to thinking about what I’d done, the mess I’d left behind.I didn’t dare look away from the scenery as it flashed by, lest anyone near me get the mistaken impressi...

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“ANTICIPATION” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #167

Some bad language.* * *I can't believe the call came, it finally came. I don't know what to do first. I have an hour and no way I can sit still. I'm glad Bax can take an Uber and meet me at the airport but I wish we could drive in together. It's not just my dream, it's our dream. And we waited so freaking long for this day! Hah, and just the fact we're still together after that wild roller coaster? I've got to be the luckiest guy in the world.Well, let's go down the checklist, see if we're all set for the new arrival. Good ol' Bax, he always...

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“ONE HELL OF A POKER NIGHT” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #166

Warning: Contains mild foul language. Demonic imagery - meant to be comedic.* * *If the Dark Prince ever promised he would be somewhere or do something, no one in their right mind would actually expect it to happen. Short of soul-gathering, how could anyone known as the Father of Lies and Deception be taken seriously? There was only one thing that was practically guaranteed though, at least in Hell. Satan had never missed Poker Night, which was routinely held every half-century, mortal time.The table was loaded with all the usual suspects: H...

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“AND WHERE WERE YOU ON THE NIGHT OF . . .” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #165

Warning: Description of crime scene. Some disturbing images.* * *Justine had finally dipped into a semi-dream state when the buzz coming from her phone deposited her right back into her own living nightmare. She fumbled around for the phone, not checking to see who it was. She knew."I'm about to order wings. How many you want?"Justine hesitated for just a second before mumbling, "Just a half-order and leave out the ghost peppers this time."The phone went dead.* * *By the time she arrived at the Deep Six, it was well past midnight. The bar wa...

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“HAZY DAZE” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #164

"Where I come from."These are four words I never want to hear, and I wish I could tell you why. I become physically ill. I know something happened, I just can't say exactly what it was.I was completely on my own for the first time. Classes had begun and I already had a ton of assignments. I didn't mind. I was anxious to get started and do well, as I had assured my parents I would.The one course I'd signed up for that wasn't academics was theater club. I had enjoyed acting in school plays back home and I thought it would be a fun and effectiv...

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“WHEN MOMMA AIN'T HAPPY” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #162

Maisy Turntrap was washing her hands as meticulously as she had massaged the giant shoulder roast she was preparing with her special dry rub. When her phone signaled there was a call, she quickly wiped her hands before crossing the small kitchen to see who it was. The Caller ID indicated it was her daughter ."Hello. Janna?""Hi, Momma. I have a slight change in plans.""Oh. Are you still coming?""Oh yes, I'll be there, and I'm bringing a friend.""Well, that's fine, Dear. Who . . .""You'll see. Let it be a surprise. Be there soon!"Maisy star...

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“SO WHO'S IN CHARGE ANYWAY?” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #160

Hermes, the Messenger God, was in no hurry to deliver the urgent missive he'd just received. It was to Zeus, and Zeus could be such a tyrannical bully sometimes. Hermes was far too sensitive to want to face Zeus when he was irritated, which seemed to be most of the time. So, Hermes tried to, instead, enjoy as many hours in his golden palace as possible, play his lyre, make his deliveries when called upon and, above all, stay under the Father of the Gods' radar.And, in fact, he was doing just that, savoring a leisurely sip of nectar while str...

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“ONLY FOOLS ARE POSITIVE” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #159

Only Fools Are Positive"How much is this going to cost?""Thirty. Ten in advance, twenty after the job is done.""Jesus! Are you . . . and you guarantee you can do this, just like I said?""This something you want to shortcut?""No, no. I'm in. I'll get the money. So, how does this work? What happens now?""The hard part is over. Now, it's off your plate and on mine. You get what I need, a picture, an address, a calendar. We meet again, I give you date and time. At that point, you pay me the upfront and then get scarce, and leave everything to me...

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Author bio

I have been reading and writing and loving both all my life. I recently had a children's book published and reedsy prompts is a wonderful way for me to practice and stretch my imagination. One of my personal favorite stories somehow has been listed separately and I don't want to lose track of it. It's entitled A Rat's Life, I wrote for the prompt to write about a character living through a major historical event, whether they know it or not. It was Contest #163 Leo Tolstoy and is categorized as creative nonfiction, drama, fantasy. I'm sorta proud of it. :) For ease of application, here's a link to A Rat's Life: https://blog.reedsy.com/short-story/eselcu/

Shortlisted 3 stories ⭐️

Contest #196

PRETTY LOOKIN' PEOPLE – read story

Contest #186

READ THAT BACK – read story

Contest #170

A LITTLE TRIP – read story